Great Britain U18s opened their IIHF Division 2A tournament with a 5-2 defeat by top seeds Lithuania today.
GB got off to the worst possible start as they went behind after just 16 seconds – Lithuania won the opening faceoff and got the puck deep into the British zone. A pass out in front found Dominik Bogdziul to force the puck in from close range.
Britain actually doubled the Lithuania shot total in the first period but found themselves 2-0 down as Mark Kaleinikovas took advantage of a turnover in the GB zone to pot the rebound after Ethan James had saved the initial shot.
The second period began brightly for GB and they had the puck in the net in the 26th minute. After a scramble in front of the Lithuania goal, the puck was forced over the line, but the referee waved it off for players in the crease.
Less than a minute later, a similar situation in front of Ethan James’ net with players from both sides right in the blue paint, saw the puck come loose in the slot and fired into the net by Paulius Macijauskas – that goal was awarded despite the GB players’ and coaches protest.
More controversy moments later, Cole Shudra was through on a breakaway and deked the goalie and slid the puck past him. However neither the goal judge or referee were able to say it had crossed the line, and GB still trailled 0-3.
Five minutes from the end of the period Britain had an extended powerplay after two Lithuania penalties in quick succession. Working the puck around, defenceman Edward Knaggs let fly from the right face off circle past Elvinas Karla in the Lithuania net and GB on the board. Sam Duggan and Kyle Smith picked up the assists.
British joy was shortlived though as Lithuania came straight back within a minute and restored their three goal lead – Kudrevicius with a tap in from close range. GB were behind 4-1 at the second break.
Sam Duggan pinged the crossbar in the opening moments of period three as GB looked to force their way back into the game. The piled on 15 shots on the final frame but couldn’t make their chances count until the closing stages when coach Martin Grubb pulled Ethan James with just over four minutes remaining.
The GB pressure forced Lithuania into conceding a penalty so 6-on-5 became a 6-on-4 and with the numerical advantage Cole Shudra scored after a scramble in front of net timed at 57.21. The goal was officially awarded to Bradley Betteridge.
Into the final two minutes, James was again pulled, and once again GB pressed the Lithuanians until the puck broke loose and Zukauskas scored on the empty net.
Matthew Headlead was named GB player of the game.
Great Britain U18 assistant coach Simon Leach says the team are disappointed after losing their opening game but have the character to bounce back for the rest of the week.
“It’s always tough when you lose the first game of a tournament. We knew going in how important this game was and wanting to get off to a good start, particularly going against the top seeds.
“Losing the goal so early put us on the back foot but we regrouped and outchanced them and outshot them overall. However we weren’t clinical enough and at the other end we were punished for our mistakes by a Lithuania goal.
“We said to the players afterwards that little errors can make big differences at this level of hockey. Sometimes we fell short and didn’t stick to our strengths and we paid the full price.”
A key moment around the midpoint of the game saw a GB goal chalked off, another not awarded and a Lithuania goal given in controversial circumstances.
“Yes things like that can change games,” said Leach. “But overall we’re disappointed as a group, we know we can do better in our own game and not worry about things we can’t control.
“It’s about how we as a team react to this loss, we don’t have time to sit and feel sorry – the game has gone, we move on.
“We play the early game tomorrow so we can’t dwell on this game, it’s all eyes on Croatia starting with our morning skate.
“The coaches will also look at the video of tonight to see where we can change and improve. We have confidence in the players, we come back tomorrow it’s a new day and we fight on.”
The second game of the tournament is on Tuesday against Croatia, face off 1.30pm local time (11.30am UK time).
Supporters in the UK can watch the game live on the IIHF website for free – http://www.iihf.com/competition/549/live-stream/
Article Image: Benedikt Kubatzki